Review: LeSutra Sparkling Liqueurs

To call the LeSutra line of liqueurs garish would be a vast understatement. Decked out in pastel colors, emblazoned with tiny fleur-de-lis icons, and sporting oversized metallic stoppers, you don’t walk past the lineup of four LeSutra bottles and not ask, what the heck is that?

Launched by producer Timbaland, these are (duh) club-friendly spirits intended as sippers at the table in your fancier bottle service establishments. Obviously they work as mixers, Alize-style, too.

There’s not a lot of information about how LeSutra is made, but it is basically vodka + white wine + carbonation + fruit flavor. The flavors are natural but the colors are “certified,” as is to be expected… and remember, all are mildly but pleasantly sparkling.

Somehow this all does not taste half bad. None of the LeSutra line is unpalatable, and some are actually pleasant if you’re in a club kid state of mind. Don’t fool yourself: These aren’t artisanal fruit liqueurs or single-batch aperitifs made by monks. They’re mass-produced spirits designed to appeal to drinkers who wouldn’t know what to do if faced with a single malt Scotch. But that’s actually a lot of people, and they could do worse than sipping on some of these.

All are 30 proof. Thoughts follow.

LeSutra Sparkling Liqueur – Peach – There’s credible peach character here. Sweet, but not unbearably so. The finish is a little bitter, with a slight chemical feel to it. B+

LeSutra Sparkling Liqueur – Blueberry – The nose has more of a vague Jolly Rancher character and the body comes across more like watermelon than blueberry. Harmless, but overly candied. B-

LeSutra Sparkling Liqueur – Strawberry – Hello Kitty! This pink concoction is tailor-made for bachelorette parties. The nose is more of a mixed fruit punch, but the body does speak to strawberry… strawberry candy, anyway. B